Pecan Springs Ranch sits on 17 acres of pecan and oak trees about 10 miles from downtown Austin, with a creek, springs and a pond on the property. It feels like the Hill Country without the long drive for guests. For us it is an easy place to work: one property, short walks between spaces, and a lot of shade to film in.
Hero photo: Pecan Springs Ranch
The spaces and the light
The main building is a 6,000 square foot climate-controlled hall with a glass back wall that opens onto a terrace. The trusses are reclaimed pine, and the room reads warm on camera once the string lights and candles are on. The venue calls it a blank slate, and that is accurate: the look comes from your florist and rentals.
Outside there are five ceremony locations to choose from, plus the option of holding the ceremony indoors. The big oaks give soft, broken light in the afternoon, which is kind to faces and forgiving for a 5:00 PM ceremony in spring.
Photo: Pecan Springs Ranch
Getting ready and first look
There are two separate getting ready areas, so each side of the wedding party has its own room on site. On the day we filmed here, hair and makeup started at 10:30 AM and the groomsmen arrived at noon to finish getting ready on property.
Because everyone is in one place, a first look and full wedding party photos fit comfortably before the ceremony. That couple did their first look at 3:30 PM and had the wedding party tucked away by 4:30 PM as guests arrived.
Photo: Pecan Springs Ranch
Ceremony, cocktail hour and portraits
After a 5:00 PM ceremony, guests moved to the covered pavilion for cocktail hour while the couple finished photos nearby. Nobody needs a shuttle, and the move from ceremony to cocktails takes minutes.
In April, sunset was just before 8:00 PM, so the couple stepped out at 7:30 PM for sunset portraits between dinner and toasts. Twenty minutes was enough, because the grounds start right outside the hall.
Reception, sound and the end of the night
The band loaded in at 1:30 PM and set up inside the hall, which keeps the reception audio clean and contained. Plan for outdoor music to stop by 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday and 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday; the venue cites an 85 decibel limit at the property line.
Sparklers are allowed for the exit. Ours went out the main doors at 10:50 PM, with a classic car waiting, and all vendors had to be off the property by 12:30 AM.
- Five outdoor ceremony sites, plus an indoor option
- 4,500 square foot covered pavilion for rain or cocktails
- Indoor hall holds up to 300 with a dance floor
- Outdoor music ends 11:00 PM Fri and Sat, 10:00 PM Sun to Thu
Rain plan
The venue lists three bad weather options, and the covered pavilion is the main rain backup for ceremonies. If the forecast turns, ask early which ceremony site moves where, because it changes where we put cameras and microphones.
A real day here
A spring Friday we filmed here (April 2026)
| 10:00 AM | Bride and bridal party arrive to start hair and makeup |
| 12:00 PM | Groom and groomsmen arrive to finish getting ready on site |
| 1:30 PM | Band arrives and sets up for the reception |
| 2:00 PM | Video coverage begins with getting ready and details |
| 3:30 PM | First look, then wedding party photos |
| 4:30 PM | Wedding party tucked away as guests arrive |
| 5:00 PM | Ceremony begins |
| 5:30 PM | Cocktail hour in the pavilion |
| 6:15 PM | Guests move inside for dinner |
| 6:30 PM | Grand entrance and first dance |
| 7:30 PM | Couple outside for sunset portraits (sunset 7:55 PM) |
| 7:50 PM | Toasts, then parent dances |
| 10:50 PM | Sparkler exit out the main doors |
| 12:30 AM | End of rental, all vendors out |
Sample timelines by season
Sunset in Austin moves by three hours across the year, and it decides almost everything else on the timeline. Here is how we would shape a day at Pecan Springs Ranch in each season. Times are a starting point; your planner and venue will tune them.
Spring
| 2:45 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 3:45 PM | Bride with her bridesmaids, groom with his groomsmen, separately |
| 4:15 PM | Each side's family photos, still apart |
| 4:45 PM | Guests arrive; couple hidden in the suite |
| 5:15 PM | Ceremony, first sight at the aisle |
| 5:45 PM | Family photos at the ceremony site |
| 6:00 PM | Wedding party photos, then couple portraits while guests enjoy a long cocktail hour in the pavilion |
| 7:00 PM | Grand entrance straight into the first dance |
| 7:10 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 PM | Golden hour portraits between courses |
| 8:00 PM | Toasts and parent dances, dance floor opens |
| 10:45 PM | Sparkler send-off |
The venue says wildflowers bloom across the grounds in spring, and an April sunset near 8:00 PM leaves room for portraits after dinner.
Summer
| 4:45 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 5:45 PM | Separate portraits with the wedding party; no first look |
| 7:00 PM | Guests arrive to live music |
| 7:45 PM | Ceremony, timed for the last of the light |
| 8:10 PM | Recessional; family photos first, while the light holds |
| 8:15 PM | Cocktail hour in the pavilion into dusk |
| 8:25 PM | Golden hour couple portraits, about 20 minutes |
| 9:05 PM | Grand entrance, first dance, then dinner |
| 9:55 PM | Toasts and parent dances |
| 10:25 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 11:30 PM | Sparkler send-off |
The hall is air conditioned, and the oak shade outside makes an evening ceremony easier on guests.
Fall
| 2:00 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 3:00 PM | First look with dad, then a bridesmaid reveal |
| 3:15 PM | Groom's portraits with his parents and groomsmen |
| 4:00 PM | Wedding party tucked away in the suite as guests arrive |
| 4:45 PM | Ceremony |
| 5:15 PM | Cocktail hour in the pavilion; family photos first, then the wedding party |
| 5:45 PM | Couple portraits, about 20 minutes |
| 6:15 PM | Grand entrance and dinner |
| 6:30 PM | Quick sunset portraits, about 10 minutes |
| 7:15 PM | Toasts, cake cutting, first dance and parent dances |
| 7:45 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 10:05 PM | Private last dance, then sparkler send-off |
Winter
| 12:00 PM | Coverage begins with details and getting ready |
| 1:00 PM | First look, then couple portraits |
| 1:35 PM | Wedding party portraits, then immediate family |
| 2:20 PM | Couple tucked away in the suite; guests arrive |
| 3:00 PM | Ceremony |
| 3:30 PM | Cocktail hour in the pavilion; extended family photos |
| 4:30 PM | Grand entrance and dinner |
| 4:55 PM | Couple slips out for golden hour, about 15 minutes |
| 5:30 PM | Toasts, then first dance and parent dances |
| 6:00 PM | Dance floor opens |
| 8:30 PM | Sparkler send-off |
The indoor hall works as a full ceremony and reception space if it is too cold to be outside.
Photo: Pecan Springs Ranch
Common questions
Does Pecan Springs Ranch have a rain plan?
Yes. The venue lists three bad weather options, including a 4,500 square foot covered pavilion and the indoor hall.
How late can music play outside?
Outdoor music must end by 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday and by 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday.
Can we do a sparkler exit?
Yes, the venue allows sparklers for departures.
Where do we get ready?
There are two separate getting ready areas on site, one for each side of the wedding party.
Planning a wedding here? Send us your date and we will tell you how we would film it.